Michigan football breakout defender turning heads during fall camp

Today, the media was able to address junior linebacker Jaydon Hood, a rising star in the Maize and Blue that has been getting a ton of praise since fall camp began in Ann Arbor. This Michigan football breakout candidate appears poised for a big year in 2023 and continues to turn heads leading up to the season.

Michigan football breakout candidate continues to impress heading into the 2023 season

Today, for the first time since the start of fall camp, Jaydon Hood was able to address the media. Since camp began, many of Hood’s Michigan football coaches and teammates — including head coach Jim Harbaugh — have been singing his praises leading up to a potential breakout season for the third-year Wolverine.

Here is some of what Jaydon Hood had to say about the coming season for himself, the Wolverines’ defense, and more.

What has Hood been working on over the offseason?

“Just really learning,” Jaydon Hood said. “That’s the mindset I have to learn from the linebackers that have been playing above me. Learn from CP (Chris Partridge), learn from coach Troy (LaTroy Lewis), and learn from anybody that’s willing to help. And I take that every day, just to keep learning and learning, and it’s showing.”

Jaydon Hood emphasizes “pillars”

“We really harp on the pillars, and I just took that into myself and really embraced it, and I really want to contribute and leave an impact for the team and help them win. So I’ve really looked deep inside myself, ‘How do I wanna impact? How do I wanna help my team?’ We built that foundation, I’m just trying to join and be a part of it.”

What are these “pillars?”

“Block destruction, ball disruption, communication,” Hood continued. “We really harp on all four. I really embraced all four because, as a linebacker, I have to be a part of all four. So I take it, I learn – we keep talking about it every day, and I’ll just keep practicing that every day, and as a defense, we’re showing it.”

With a crowded linebacker room, why did Hood stick around?

“This was the spot that I chose originally,” Hood said. “This is where I see, this is where I’ve always dreamed. Even though I am from Florida, when I wake up when I have dreams at night, it’s with the winged helmet on, and I don’t want to leave that. And CP (Chris Partridge) has been a great addition, and I’ve really learned and developed because of him.”

With a lot of linebacker depth, does Jaydon Hood have a role with Michigan football this year?

“Yeah, of course, special teams,” he said. “Obviously, I want to contribute any way I can, but I know that I can contribute on special teams too. I’m in there with coach Jay (Harbaugh) too. He’s also a huge impact on my development. Like I said, I want to impact the team. I don’t have a selfish thought – if it’s linebacker, special teams, whatever it is, I’m good for it.”

What do Jaydon Hood’s teammates say about his fall camp so far?

In addition to what Hood said today, here is some of what has been said about this rising Michigan football breakout defender thus far.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh: “The guy who I would say has asserted himself the most is Jaydon Hood as far as where he was last year to where he is now.  He is getting right there in the mix.”

Junior linebacker Junior Colson: “He’s focused on the moment, on the now. You can tell he stays here, especially during camp, he’s been one of the last ones to leave watching film, trying to get better, and he’s asking more questions than he normally is. So I think that’s one thing he’s matured in. Maturity-wise, he’s allowed his game to take that next step to reach that next level. And I think he’s gonna keep going up and up.”

Graduate linebacker Mike Barrett: “Jaydon Hood, I feel like he’s made a big step from last year. He’s coming along really fast, learning and being able to help step into that next spot.”

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